Henry Albert Axtell

Henry enlisted in the Hampshire Royal Garrison Artillery in Southampton on 17th November 1915. He was 39 years of age and a bricklayer.

Henry joined the Army Reserve until 13th May 1916 when he was mobilised and posted to the Hants RGA as a gunner, joining the British Expeditionary Force in France.

On 24th September 1917 he returned home due to illness. He was operated on at the Craylingwell War Hospital in Chichester and then was taken to the Convalescent Hospital at Eastbourne where he remained until 10th November 1917.

Henry rejoined the British Expeditionary Force and was back in the field on 11th December 1917. He was wounded on 20th May 1918 and taken to hospital where he died of wounds the following day.

He is buried in the Pernes British Cemetery which had been established a month earlier in the Pas de Calais area when 1st and 4th Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations were driven back by the German advance.

In August his wife Alice was sent his effects which included 2 rings, cigarette holder and tobacco pouch, wallet, photos, wallet and a watch and watch case. Henry had married Alice in November 1898, and in 1901 they were living at Hatch Bottom, West End, Hampshire. They had a daughter Alice Agnes Maria Day born in Southampton in November 1901.